‘Central neglect’ back on table in Odisha politics

Odisha’s Ruling BJD today attempted to reuse its customary time-tested trick of ‘central neglect’ to divert attention of opposition parties from various issues in the state assembly. However, both BJP and Congress went on a counter-offensive and questioned the efficacy of the State Government.

Food, Supplies & Consumer Welfare Minister Sanjay Dasburma, earlier in the day, had raised the topic in the assembly to highlight the lack of financial assistance from the center to fight the drought condition in the state.

“While the center is providing other states with grants and aids worth thousands of crore, all that they do for Odisha is send central teams twice. What else can it be other than a rude joke! This has been the policy for both UPA and NDA governments. We oppose it,” Minister Dasburma had said speaking to reporters outside the assembly. He was taking an obvious jibe at the ongoing visit of a central team that is here to assess drought situation in the state.

On the other hand, both Congress and BJP refuted the BJD allegation of lack of financial support from the center and instead pointed fingers at the ruling party citing that the State Government has not been able spend Rs 6000 crore in past six years.

“The ruling party is taking up central neglect issue in the assembly. There certainly has not been any central neglect. Instead, the State Government has not been able to spend the central aid and submit the UC (usage certificate). This government always uses the ‘central neglect’ theme as a way to hide its own inefficiency and incapability,” said BJP MLA Pradeep Purohit.

“The UPA government had given abundant funds to the state. As you know, the State Government has not been able to spend it properly and produce the UC because of its incompetence. We advise them to visit the center with a delegation and make the rightful demands. Congress would surely back it,” said Deputy Leader of the Congress Legislature Party Chiranjeeb Biswal.